Tierra colorada (suelos rojos del este y sur)
The red of the roads in Alto Paraná and Itapúa comes from iron in basaltic rocks and sandstones broken down by centuries of heat and rain.
What it is
Tierra colorada (“red earth”) is a red soil that results from the breakdown of basaltic rocks and sandstones. Its unmistakable colour is due to iron minerals. In Soil Taxonomy it corresponds to Oxisols: soils of humid tropical climates, heavily leached, with weak blocky structure. In Paraguay it covers the whole department of Alto Paraná and parts of Caaguazú, Canindeyú and Itapúa.
According to the head of soil management at the Ministry of Agriculture, the clayey soils of Itapúa and part of Alto Paraná resist erosion better and hold more organic matter, which, together with well-distributed rain, helps farming. It is the typical scenery along the road to Ciudad del Este and Encarnación.
How to visit
You do not need to go anywhere in particular: you will see it in road cuts and rural roads in the east and south. After rain the red mud stains everything, so bring clothes you do not mind getting dirty.
Nearby
Ciudad del Este · Alto Paraná
Lago de la República
Ciudad del Este's green lung: laps around the lake, caimans, craft beer and the city's biggest festivals.
Ciudad del Este · Alto Paraná
Catedral de San Blas
A 1964 cathedral with a shape evoking a ship and stone sculptures, right in downtown Ciudad del Este.
Ciudad del Este · Alto Paraná
Puente Internacional de la Amistad
A 552 m arch bridge over the Paraná River, officially opened in 1965, that linked Ciudad del Este with Foz do Iguaçu.
Ciudad del Este · Alto Paraná
Parque Lineal Itaipú (Manuel Ortiz Guerrero)
A 48 ha park in Ciudad del Este with trails, bike paths, lookouts and century-old trees; free entry with ID.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.